JPH07106640A - Thermoelectric cooling unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a thermoelectric cooling unit which cools a control board for computor incorporating a, heat source efficiently. CONSTITUTION:The thermoelectric cooling unit comprises thermoelectric coolers 111, 132 each arranged in series with N type and P type thermoelectric elements wherein the coolers 111, 112 are provided with heat absorbing fins 121, 122 and heat radiating fins 131, 132 disposed on the opposite sides of a partition wall 14 having high thermal conductivity. First and second air channels 17, 18 are formed on the opposite sides of the partition wall 14 such that the heat absorbing fins 121, 122 and the heat radiating fins 131, 132 are disposed on the opposite sides thereof. Consequently, the hot air in a control board is introduced to the heat absorbing fins 121, 122 by means of a first fan 19 and the partition wall 14 whereas the outer air is introduced to the heat radiating fins 131, 132 by means of a second fan 20 and the partition wall 14. The air passed through the heat absorbing fins 121, 122 is introduced into the control board.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control panel cooler which can be effectively applied to a control box containing a heat source such as a computer for various controls.
In particular, it relates to a thermoelectric cooling device using thermoelectric elements composed of N-type and P-type semiconductors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a control panel equipped with a control computer or the like, the temperature of the control panel rises due to the heat generated by the main body of the computer. In order to operate the computer normally, the control panel has been set. For example, it is necessary to cool the inside of the closed control box. As a means for cooling the inside of the control box, a commonly used air conditioner or the like is applied, but it is particularly unsuitable for efficiently cooling the inside of the control box, and it is especially large. Tend to do.

As a cooling device, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-632 is used.
A thermoelectric cooling device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 44 is known. In this cooling device, N-type and P-type semiconductor elements are connected in series, and both ends thereof are connected to a DC power source to apply a Peltier effect that causes heat absorption and heat dissipation to electrode parts connecting the semiconductor elements. Consists of
This thermoelectric cooling device is equipped with an endothermic heat exchanger integrally connected to an electrode that absorbs heat, and a radiant heat exchanger integrally provided to the electrode that radiates heat. The cooling operation by heat absorption is controlled by. Therefore, it can be effectively applied to cooling in a closed control box, etc., but there is a limit to the cooling capacity due to physical restrictions when installing in a control panel, and the applicable range is limited. Limited.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a control panel such as a closed control box having a control computer or the like for generating heat therein. The present invention intends to provide a thermoelectric cooling device capable of effectively releasing the heat inside the thermoelectric cooling device.

[0005]

In a thermoelectric cooling device according to the present invention, a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements are alternately arranged, and the respective ones are connected in series by heat absorbing electrodes and heat radiating electrodes. A thermoelectric element group configured as described above, and an endothermic heat exchange member and a heat radiating heat exchange member that are coupled to the heat absorbing electrode and the heat radiating electrode in a state of good heat conduction and project in opposite directions. A thermoelectric cooler configured to include the heat absorbing heat exchanging member and the heat radiating heat exchanging member of the thermoelectric cooler are partitioned by a partition wall made of a material having good thermal conductivity, and the object to be cooled by the first blowing unit. The air from the part is applied to the partition wall, the air is returned to the part to be cooled through the endothermic heat exchange member part of the thermoelectric cooler, and the second blowing means is used. Together against outside air into the partition wall Te, the outside air is to be discharged to the outside through the heat dissipation heat exchanger member portion of the thermoelectric cooler.

[0006]

In the thermoelectric cooling device configured as above,
By applying a DC voltage to the N-type and P-type thermoelectric elements connected in series which form the thermoelectric cooler, the endothermic heat exchange member absorbs ambient heat and the heat dissipation heat exchange member radiates heat to the surroundings. . Then, for example, the heated air in the control box passes through the endothermic heat exchange member portion and is returned to the inside of the control box by the first air blowing means, and the outside air passes through the heat radiation heat exchange member portion by the second air blowing means. As a result, the air introduced by the first and second blowing means is heat-exchanged at the partition wall portion. Therefore, after the heated air in the control box is once cooled by the outside air, it is further cooled by the endothermic heat exchange member and returned to the control box, so that the air in the control box is efficiently cooled and returned. become. For this reason, in a control panel such as a closed control box that has a control computer that generates heat inside, it is possible to effectively dissipate the internal heat without increasing the physique. The effect will be fully exerted.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a sectional structure of a thermoelectric cooling device 10, in which first and second thermoelectric cooling machines 111 and 112 are provided. The thermoelectric coolers 111 and 112 are respectively provided with heat-absorbing fins 121 and 122 constituting an endothermic heat exchanger and heat-radiating fins 131 and 132 constituting a heat-dissipating heat exchanger so as to project in opposite directions. . And
The heat absorbing fins 121 and 122 and the heat radiating fins 131
The partition wall 14 is set so as to partition 132 parts and 132 parts, and the partition wall 14 is made of a material having a thin plate thickness and good thermal conductivity, for example, copper.

On both sides of the partition wall 14, a first air passage 17 and a second air passage 18 are formed by partition walls 15 and 16, and both ends of each of the air passages 17 and 18 are respectively formed. The heat-absorbing fins 121 and 122 and the heat-radiating fins 131 and 132 of the thermoelectric coolers 111 and 112, respectively, are provided. Partitions 14 and 15 are installed on the bulkheads 15 and 16, respectively.
A first blower 19 and a second blower 20 are provided for blowing air in the direction of. Then, the air introduced by the first blower 19 hits the partition wall 14, passes through the first blower path 17, passes through the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122 and is discharged, and the air introduced by the second blower 20 is , Hitting the partition wall 14 and passing through the second air passage 18 and radiating fins
It is designed to be discharged through 131 and 132.

The thermoelectric cooling device 10 having such a structure is installed in a control box 21 as shown in FIG.
10 is attached to the part of the ceiling wall 221 or the side wall 222 of the control box 21. In this case, the partition wall
Both sides of the first air duct 17 divided by 14 are control boxes 21
So that both sides of the second air passage 18 are opened to the outside air. Here, when the partition wall 14 is attached to the control box 21, the partition wall 14 is a control box to be cooled.
It is also possible to use 21 side walls directly. Of course, the device shown in FIG. 1 can be attached to the outside of the side wall of the control box 21, and it can be attached to the inside of the side wall so that only the outside air intake port and the exhaust port of the second air passage 18 are exposed to the outside. You may make it open.

In this thermoelectric cooling device 10, the outside air is the second
Is taken in by the blower 20 and is applied to the partition wall 14, then passes through the radiating fins 131 and 132, and the heat of the radiating fins 131 and 132 is taken and released to the outside air. The air in the control box 21 is the first blower.
It is taken in by 19 and hits the partition wall 14, and is returned to the inside of the control box 21 through the first air passage 17 and the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122. Where the heat sink fins 12
When passing through 1 and 122, the heat of the passing air is taken by the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122, and this cooled air is introduced into the control box 21 and the inside thereof is cooled.

FIG. 3 shows a concrete example of the construction of the thermoelectric cooler 11 (111, 112) used in the thermoelectric cooler 10 in this manner. The cooler 11 is equipped with a thermoelectric conversion unit 30. . This thermoelectric conversion unit 30 has a plurality of N
-Type thermoelectric elements 311, 312, ... And P-type thermoelectric elements 321, 32
2 and these N-type and P-type thermoelectric elements 311 and 31
, 321, 322, ... constitute a group of thermoelectric elements alternately arranged in series along one straight line.

The N-type thermoelectric elements 311 arranged alternately,
, And P-type thermoelectric elements 321, 322, ... Between the heat absorbing electrode plates 331, 332, ... And heat radiating electrode plates 341, 342 ,. The thermoelectric element and the thermoelectric element are integrally connected by a conductive brazing material such as solder or a conductive adhesive, and electrically connected in series. And this thermoelectric conversion unit 30
Terminals 351 and 352 are provided on both sides of the terminal so that a DC power source (not shown) can be connected. Specifically, the positive side terminal of the DC power supply is connected to the terminal 351 and the negative side terminal is connected to the terminal 352 so that the DC current can flow in series from the P-type thermoelectric element 321 side.

Thermoelectric conversion unit constituting the thermoelectric cooler 12
At 30, N-type thermoelectric elements 311 and 312 connected in series,
The heat absorbing electrode plates 331, 332, ... At the NP junction where currents flow to the P-type thermoelectric elements 321, 322 ,. Further, the P-type thermoelectric elements 321, 322, ...
The heat radiation electrode plates 341, 342, ... At the PN junction, in which currents respectively flow, are in a high temperature state.

The heat absorbing electrode plates 331, 332, ...
Plates 361 and 36 made of one metal plate with good thermal conductivity
The two are bonded together in an electrically connected state. Similarly, each of the heat radiating electrode plates 241, 242, ... Is constituted by bonding two plates 371 and 372 made of a metal plate having good thermal conductivity in an electrically connected state.

FIG. 4 shows the parts of the plates 361 and 362 corresponding to the heat absorbing electrode plates 331, 332, ... Taken out and disassembled, and the plate 371 of the heat dissipation electrode plates 341, 342 ,.
Parts 372 and 372 are similarly configured. That is,
Plates 361 and 362, which form an endothermic electrode plate 331 sandwiched between an N-type thermoelectric element 311 and a P-type thermoelectric element 321, are electrode sections 511 and 362 located between the thermoelectric elements 311 and 321 respectively.
521, and the plates 361 and 362 are set so as to extend from the electrode portions 511 and 521, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the thermoelectric elements 311 and 321 are arranged. Then, the plates 361 and 362 are bent at a position slightly apart from the thermoelectric element array in the directions perpendicular to the surfaces facing each other and in the directions opposite to each other, and the first bent pieces 512 and 522 are respectively bent. Is forming.

The first bent pieces 512 and 522 further include electrode portions 511 at positions corresponding to the widths of the thermoelectric elements 311 and 321.
And 521, which are bent at a right angle in a direction parallel to the first and second folds 513 and 523.
Is formed. And this second bent piece 513 and 523
At the tip of each of the
4 and 524 are formed.

Electrode portions 511 and 52 of plates 361 and 362
The parts 1 are electrically connected to each other by, for example, solder to form the endothermic electrode plate 331. The N-type thermoelectric element 311 and the P-type thermoelectric element 321 are provided on both sides of the endothermic electrode plate 331. It is electrically conductively joined by solder. Since the heat dissipation electrode plate 341 is also configured in the same manner, a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 311, 312, ... And P-type thermoelectric elements 321, 322, ... Are alternately arranged and electrically connected in series. Then, the thermoelectric conversion unit 30 is configured.

That is, the plate 36 constructed in this way
The heat absorbing electrode plates 331, 332, ... Are constituted by 1 and 362, and the heat radiating electrode plate 341, by the plates 371 and 372.
, And the second bent pieces 513 and 523 extending outward are the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122 constituting the heat exchanger. Similarly, the heat radiation fins 131 and 132 are formed in the portions corresponding to the second bent pieces of the plates 371 and 372.

Here, the back surfaces of the plates 361 and 362 respectively constituting the heat absorption electrode plates 331, 332, ... Are contacted with the back surfaces of the plates of the adjacent heat absorption electrode plates. The insulating adhesives 381, 382, ... Are integrally joined together so as to be electrically insulated from each other. Similarly, the back surface of the plates 371 and 372, which respectively constitute the heat dissipation electrode plates 341, 342, ...
1, 392, ... Joined electrically insulatively.

Second folded piece 512 of each plate 361 and 362
And 522 are sequentially butted, and the portions of the plates 371 and 372 corresponding to the second bent pieces 512 and 522, respectively, are also butted sequentially, so that the N-type thermoelectric elements 311, 312 ,.
A partition wall extending parallel to the direction of the element row of the thermoelectric elements 321, 322, ... Is formed, and the partition wall portion is in contact with both surfaces of the partition wall 14 in FIG. Are installed so as to penetrate the partition wall 14. Between the plates 361 and 362 that form the heat absorption fins 121 and 122, and between the plates 371 and 372 that form the heat dissipation fins 131 and 132.
Corrugated fins 40 and 41 are respectively interposed between them.

In the thermoelectric cooling device 10 constructed as described above, the high temperature air in the control box 21 is the first blower 19
After being sucked into the first air passage 17 by being directly applied to the partition wall 14, the direction is changed by 90 ° and the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122 are directed. Then, the air absorbed by the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122 and cooled is returned to the inside of the control box 21 as shown by an arrow. Further, the outside air is introduced into the second air passage 18 by the second blower 10, hits the partition wall 14, and then is guided to the heat radiation fins 131 and 132, so that the heat radiation fin 13
Emitted to the atmosphere after cooling 1 and 132.

Normally, when such a thermoelectric cooling device is used, it functions as a cooler by the heat absorbing effect of the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122.
The heat exchange capacity of 122 parts was considered as the capacity of the cooler.
However, by configuring as shown in FIG. 1, the heated air in the control box 21 and the outside air are separated from each other by the partition wall.
Since it can be directly applied to both sides of 14, the part of the heat quantity in the control box 21 can be released to the outside through the partition wall 14. Here, although the heat dissipation function through the wall surface of the control box 21 has been conventionally considered, forced convection heat is generated by directly applying the hot air and the outside air in the box 21 to the partition wall 14 as shown in the embodiment. By transmitting the heat, it is possible to secure a remarkable heat radiation performance as compared with a windless state.

Further, since the airflow generated by the second blower 20 is forcibly circulated through the radiating fins 131 and 132, the radiating fins 131 and 132 are forcibly cooled. Thus, the temperature rise of the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122 is effectively suppressed, and the heat absorbing effect is further improved. That is, the cooling effect is further increased, and the body size of the thermoelectric cooling device is reduced to obtain a predetermined cooling effect.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment, in which the partition wall 14 of the thermoelectric cooling device 10 is set in a vertical state. Therefore, the first and second air passages 17 and 18 set on both sides of the partition wall 14 are also set in the vertical state, and corresponding to the upper and lower openings of the first air passage 17, The heat-absorbing fins 121 and 122 of the thermoelectric coolers 111 and 112, respectively, are set, and the heat-radiating fins 131 and 132 of the thermoelectric coolers 111 and 112, respectively, are provided corresponding to the upper and lower openings of the second air passage 18. Each will be set.

The open cell sponge 23 is arranged below the thermoelectric cooling device 10 in the vertical state in the direction of gravity, and the water condensed by the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122 is placed on the open cell sponge 23. Spontaneously falls into this continuous foam sponge 23
Is attached and absorbed. The moisture adhering to the open cell sponge 23 gradually permeates toward the heat radiation side, and the second air passage 18
It is evaporated by the radiant air. Therefore, the drain water, which is always a problem in such a cooling device, is treated in the open-cell sponge 23, and it is not necessary to install a special drain water treatment mechanism.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the partition wall 14
The heat pipe 24 is provided through the
The heat exchange parts at both ends of the heat pipe 24 are set inside the first air passage 17 and the second air passage 18, respectively.

With this structure, the high temperature air from the control box introduced into the first blower path 17 by the first blower 19 hits the heat exchange section under the heat pipe 24, and this heat is exchanged. The pipe 24 has bottom heat. The heat pipe 24 has a function of efficiently transporting heat, and the high temperature introduced by heat exchange in the lower part thereof is transferred to the upper part of the heat pipe 24,
The second blower 20 is exposed to the outside air and cooled, and as a result, the air in the first blower passage 17 is cooled, and the efficiently cooled air is blown out from the first blower passage 17. , Is introduced into the control box through the heat absorbing fins 121 and 122.

If the inside of the control box, which is the object of cooling, becomes lower than the outside air temperature, the heat pipe 24 will be in the top heat state and the heat transfer efficiency will be low. Therefore, the heat entering the control box through the heat pipe 24 is reduced.

In FIG. 2, the thermoelectric cooling device 10
Although, for example, the example of the mounting position with respect to the control box 21 is shown, generally, the effect of the partition wall 14 is great if the partition wall 14 is installed at the upper part where hot air is easily accumulated. But,
When a device having a particularly large heat generation amount is built in the control box 21, the device may be installed close to the device having a large heat generation amount.

[0030]

As described above, according to the thermoelectric cooling device of the present invention, in a control panel such as a closed control box having a control computer for generating heat, etc. By simply and easily attaching the control box, the heat inside the control box can be effectively released, and the cooling effect can be sufficiently exerted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram for explaining a thermoelectric cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating how the cooling device is attached.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram viewed from a side for explaining a thermoelectric cooler for configuring the cooling device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing one cooling unit of the thermoelectric cooler taken out and disassembled.

FIG. 5 is a sectional configuration diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional configuration diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Thermoelectric cooler, 11, 111, 112 ... Thermoelectric cooler, 121
, 122 ... Heat absorbing fins, 131, 132 ... Radiating fins, 14 ...
Partition walls, 15, 16 ... Partition walls, 17, 18 ... First and second blowers, 19, 20 ... First and second blowers, 21 ... Control box, 23 ... Open cell sponge, 24 ... Heat pipe.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A thermoelectric element group constituted by alternately arranging a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements and P-type thermoelectric elements, respectively, and connecting the respective elements in series by a heat absorbing electrode and a heat radiating electrode, and the heat absorbing electrode. And a thermoelectric cooler configured to include an endothermic heat exchange member and a heat radiation heat exchange member, which are coupled to the heat dissipation electrode in a good heat conduction state and project in opposite directions, respectively, and the thermoelectric cooler. A partition wall made of a material having good thermal conductivity set to partition the heat-absorption heat exchange member and the heat-radiation heat exchange member, and air from the portion to be cooled is applied toward the partition wall, First blower means for returning the air to the portion to be cooled through the endothermic heat exchange member portion of the thermoelectric cooler, and introducing the outside air and applying the outside air toward the partition wall. And a second air blower for allowing outside air to be discharged to the outside through the radiation heat exchange member portion of the thermoelectric cooler. 2. A heat pipe so as to communicate between an air introduction portion from a portion to be cooled by a first air blower and an outside air introduction portion by a second air blower which are set with the partition wall interposed therebetween. Claim 1 which was set so that
The thermoelectric cooling device described.